Saturday's letters: Different plans

Published: Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 2, 2012 at 5:20 p.m.

To the editor: The election Tuesday is going to be the most significant in our nation’s history. While ostensibly just between two men, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, the election is truly between “two very different plans for our country,” as President Obama himself says.

Do we return to the country of our Founders’ vision of liberty, opportunity and constitutional self-government? Or do we continue, and accelerate, the “fundamental transformation of America” into the current government by executive orders and regulations imposed by nameless, unvetted “czars” and bureaucrats?

The radical, lawless Obama administration has a total disregard for and enmity toward our Constitution — the Constitution that has made the United States unique in the history of the world by having a government that secures the individual’s rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Instead we have under this administration centralized command and control policies, and a burden of debt that will require confiscatory taxes to repay.

In this election, we are for or against our Constitution, whether we have a “R” or “D” or “I” after our name. To again quote President Obama, “The choice you make couldn’t be bigger.”

Audrey Buozas

Hendersonville

A great asset

To the editor: As an eighth-generation native of Transylvania County, Chris Whitmire is dedicated to our area’s needs and assets. Improving employment, high gas taxes and corporate rates, as well as protecting our property rights, are among his top priorities. Whitmire also understands firsthand the concerns of our local farmers and small businesses due to years of working with his family’s farm and real estate business.

Whitmire’s experience includes Transylvania County School Board chairman (four times) and more than 26 years of military leadership. In 2011, Transylvania County was recognized as the most fiscally responsible county in the state as well as being a top academic school system in North Carolina. These accomplishments took place during one of the toughest budget cuts in our county’s history.

Whitmire’s experience as a pilot, combat veteran and military leader will also serve him well as our state representative. Currently, Whitmire serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve, where he leads and works with local, state and federal organizations during recovery and disaster operations.

The character, hard work, dedication and integrity Chris Whitmire will bring to our district will be a great asset to Transylvania, Polk and southern Henderson counties.

Janet Crain

Brevard

Your vote counts

To the editor: Elections have consequences. For example, in 2010 when many Democrats neglected to vote, the Republicans gained control of the state legislature for the first time in more than 100 years.

One consequence of that election was the new gerrymandered state legislative and congressional districts. Our District 11 is a perfect example of giving the Republicans more “safe” districts. Another consequence was that the Republican legislature made large cuts in the state budget for education and overrode Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto of the budget. What might the Republicans do if they continue as the majority in the legislature and if they take over the governor’s mansion or the White House?

If you are a Democrat or a Democratic-leaning independent, your vote counts but you must cast it. It is as easy as one, two and three. First, vote for President Barack Obama, Second, vote a straight Democratic ballot so all Democrats in partisan races get a vote. And three, vote for each of the fair, impartial judges (get a Democratic sample ballot to see who they are).

Vote. Vote Democratic. We are counting on you.

Doug Freeman

Hendersonville

Pot, meet kettle

To the editor: In the letter “Not better off,” published in Saturday’s paper, the writer claims the national debt in two years will be 80.4 percent of GDP and asks, “Do you handle your own finances that recklessly?”

Apparently so since the median household debt in the U.S. today is $75,600 and the median household income is $50,900, giving a debt-to-income ratio of about 150 percent. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

By the way, the national debt is either 68 percent of GDP or 103 percent of GDP, depending on whether you believe the CIA or the International Monetary Fund. For comparison, the UK is at 87 percent, Germany is at 82 percent and France is at 86 percent. And those countries have universal health care, lower infant mortality, longer life spans and functioning democracies. They also have higher levels of income equality by obliging their top 1 percent to pay a fair share.

<p>To the editor: The election Tuesday is going to be the most significant in our nation’s history. While ostensibly just between two men, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, the election is truly between two very different plans for our country, as President Obama himself says.</p><p>Do we return to the country of our Founders’ vision of liberty, opportunity and constitutional self-government? Or do we continue, and accelerate, the fundamental transformation of America into the current government by executive orders and regulations imposed by nameless, unvetted czars and bureaucrats?</p><p>The radical, lawless Obama administration has a total disregard for and enmity toward our Constitution  the Constitution that has made the United States unique in the history of the world by having a government that secures the individual’s rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Instead we have under this administration centralized command and control policies, and a burden of debt that will require confiscatory taxes to repay.</p><p>In this election, we are for or against our Constitution, whether we have a R or D or I after our name. To again quote President Obama, The choice you make couldn’t be bigger.</p><p><em>Audrey Buozas</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>A great asset</h3>
<p>To the editor: As an eighth-generation native of Transylvania County, Chris Whitmire is dedicated to our area’s needs and assets. Improving employment, high gas taxes and corporate rates, as well as protecting our property rights, are among his top priorities. Whitmire also understands firsthand the concerns of our local farmers and small businesses due to years of working with his family’s farm and real estate business.</p><p>Whitmire’s experience includes Transylvania County School Board chairman (four times) and more than 26 years of military leadership. In 2011, Transylvania County was recognized as the most fiscally responsible county in the state as well as being a top academic school system in North Carolina. These accomplishments took place during one of the toughest budget cuts in our county’s history.</p><p>Whitmire’s experience as a pilot, combat veteran and military leader will also serve him well as our state representative. Currently, Whitmire serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve, where he leads and works with local, state and federal organizations during recovery and disaster operations.</p><p>The character, hard work, dedication and integrity Chris Whitmire will bring to our district will be a great asset to Transylvania, Polk and southern Henderson counties.</p><p><em>Janet Crain</em></p><p><em>Brevard</em></p><h3>Your vote counts</h3>
<p>To the editor: Elections have consequences. For example, in 2010 when many Democrats neglected to vote, the Republicans gained control of the state legislature for the first time in more than 100 years.</p><p>One consequence of that election was the new gerrymandered state legislative and congressional districts. Our District 11 is a perfect example of giving the Republicans more safe districts. Another consequence was that the Republican legislature made large cuts in the state budget for education and overrode Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto of the budget. What might the Republicans do if they continue as the majority in the legislature and if they take over the governor’s mansion or the White House?</p><p>If you are a Democrat or a Democratic-leaning independent, your vote counts but you must cast it. It is as easy as one, two and three. First, vote for President Barack Obama, Second, vote a straight Democratic ballot so all Democrats in partisan races get a vote. And three, vote for each of the fair, impartial judges (get a Democratic sample ballot to see who they are).</p><p>Vote. Vote Democratic. We are counting on you.</p><p><em>Doug Freeman</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Pot, meet kettle</h3>
<p>To the editor: In the letter Not better off, published in Saturday’s paper, the writer claims the national debt in two years will be 80.4 percent of GDP and asks, Do you handle your own finances that recklessly?</p><p>Apparently so since the median household debt in the U.S. today is $75,600 and the median household income is $50,900, giving a debt-to-income ratio of about 150 percent. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.</p><p>By the way, the national debt is either 68 percent of GDP or 103 percent of GDP, depending on whether you believe the CIA or the International Monetary Fund. For comparison, the UK is at 87 percent, Germany is at 82 percent and France is at 86 percent. And those countries have universal health care, lower infant mortality, longer life spans and functioning democracies. They also have higher levels of income equality by obliging their top 1 percent to pay a fair share.</p><p><em>Philip Rakita</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p>